One of my favorite treats is a Krispy Kreme Doughnut. There are only two doughnuts worth eating: original glazed and chocolate glazed. A few years ago I told my wife that they need to sell in the store a box of a dozen doughnuts that has six original glazed and six chocolate glazed. Low and behold I was in a Walmart one day and there was the Krispy Kreme stand. To my surprise they now had a box of a dozen doughnuts arranged in just the right way with six original glazed and six chocolate glazed. I could not believe my eyes. I almost dropped to my knees to bow before the Krispy Kreme Doughnut stand. Then I came to my senses, remembering I was a pastor, and I looked around to make sure no one was looking and I picked up a box, held it tightly in my arms and carried my doughnuts home with exuberant joy! I was completely satisfied! But then, after I ate half the box with a tall glass of milk, the after affects set it. My head hurt, my stomach ached, and I told my wife how I should not have done that. I went from a moment of pure satisfaction to pure misery.
There are many things in life that we often pursue to give us satisfaction. We may pursue wealth or material possessions. We may pursue health and exercise. We may pursue physical pleasures. We may pursue academic achievements. We may pursue a high ranking position. But, none of these things will ever truly satisfy. As we consider John 7:37-53, we learn the truth that only Jesus satisfies.
He fills our emptiness. Jesus is at the feast of tabernacles. It is the last day of the seven-day feast. The feast was held in the fall and celebrated God’s goodness. It was a time to remember how God was with the children of Israel during the wilderness journeys and at time to look forward to the coming Messiah. Little did they know, the Messiah was with them at the feast. Jesus, the Messiah was there, and they failed to realize who He was. The feast of tabernacles was held in the fall and it was a time to celebrate the harvest. It was also a time to pray for rain after a hot dry summer. “On each of the seven days prior to the final day (the added day), priests drew water from the Pool of Siloam and carried a golden pitcher full of the water to the temple and then around the altar with the high priest leading the way. As the priests neared the water gate, the shofar was blown, and then the psalms of praise and thanksgiving were sung to God for the harvest.”[1] It is in the context of this last day of the feast with an emphasis on water that Jesus made His statement in verse 37-39. “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”[2]
Apart from Jesus we are empty. We are dry. We have no life. However, those who believe on the Lord Jesus will be given the Holy Spirit who will fill them to overflowing. The emptiness of life fades away as we now have fulfillment and purpose in the indwelling Holy Spirit. The water that the priests carried from the pool of Siloam could never satisfy. It could never fill the emptiness we have inside. But, Jesus is the living water. Those who come to Jesus will never thirst again. They will be completely satisfied as their empty hearts are filled with the Holy Spirit. Because of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we have the assurance of our salvation. As Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”[3]We know we are saved beyond any doubt because of the Holy Spirit that lives within us. With the security of our salvation, we can now live a life of meaning. We have a purpose. No longer are we empty and lost. Now we are filled to overflowing because our salvation is secure.
He gives us hope. The ritual of carrying the water during the feast of tabernacles served as a symbol of hope. It was the anticipation of relief from the hot and dry days of summer. However, Jesus came to give us real hope. The hope that comes with believing on Jesus is a confident expectation. It is a guarantee. The hope we have in Christ is two-fold. (1) Hope in salvation. By believing on the Lord Jesus, we can confidently expect that are salvation is real and secure. When the scripture says that those who ‘call on the name of the Lord shall be saved’. We can count it. We can take it to the bank! We can with confidence live in the eternal life we have in Christ because we know that: “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”[4] Think about it! We will not perish! We will not die! We will not be eternally separated from God! We have a home in Heaven! This is our hope. This is our confidence.
(2) Hope in His promises. If we believe that God will fulfil His promise of salvation, we must also believe that we can have hope in every other promise He has given us in His Word. Hebrews 13:5-6 says, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”[5] He will never leave me! He will never forsake me! He is my helper! Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”[6] God cares about me! I do not have to worry. Every need, He will supply. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”[7] I can go through the storm because He is there. I can make that decision for He gives me wisdom. I can hear that doctors report because He gives me comfort. I can survive the hurt of betrayal because He cares. I can make it when I lose a loved one because He loves me. Whatever I face. Whatever I must endure. I can confidently expect that He will give me the strength to get through! John 14:1-3 says, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”[8] He has prepared a place for me! He is coming again to take me to that place! I will live with Him forever! If God says it, that settles it. I know He is coming again. I know I have a future. I know I have a home in Heaven. Why? Because He said so! Hope in His promises!
He gives us contentment. This living water that Jesus provides gives a life of peace and contentment. Paul said that he had learned to be content in whatever situation he was in. My friend, are you content? Do you have peace? When I think of peace and contentment, I think of home. There is nothing like being at home. The older I get, the more I appreciate the comfort of home. I love to be at home. To sit on the front porch and listen to the birds and watch the squirrels play. To spend the day doing yard work and then sitting down with a nice cold glass of sweat tea and admire the work I just accomplished. I love the sound of family at home. Cooking on the grill while hearing the laughter of my wife and children. There is nothing like the peace and contentment of being at home. It’s my happy place. It’s my safe place. Jesus provides such contentment. Just like being at home, when you are with Jesus, all the cares of this world fades away. Every worry, every fear, all anxiety is completely removed when you rest in Jesus.
He gives us purpose. I am so glad that when I gave my life to Jesus, He did not just leave me to fend for myself. He gave me a purpose. He gave me a reason to live. He calls me into His Kingdom work and He allows me to be a part of what He is doing. One of the hardest things for someone getting older is losing a sense of purpose. You get to a certain point where you cannot do what you used to do. It leaves you feeling useless. My friend, it does not matter your age or lot in life. You do have a purpose. There is a reason why God has you here. Even if it is just as simple as giving a loving and comforting smile to your loved ones. You have a purpose. Some of the most influential and impactful people in my life over the years has been senior saints. People that cannot do much. Some cannot even get out of their house. But, there is something about their smile. There is something about their acceptance of me and their kind and encouraging words. Whether you are young or old, if you know Jesus as your Savior, you have a purpose. What a joy it is to be a part of God’s Kingdom purposes in this life!
He gives joy. The final satisfaction we have in Jesus that I would like to share with you is the simple fact that He gives us joy. The feast of tabernacles was a time of celebration. It was a time of joy. In that joyful context, Jesus declares that He is the living water. Those who come and believe on Him will have a joy that far surpasses the joy shared at the feast of tabernacles. One of the saddest things to see are Christians who have lost their joy. Those who get distracted and lose their focus on Jesus. They become irritable. They become critical. Since they have no joy, they attempt to rob others of joy with their negative attitude. Why is this? Because they have gotten away from the Lord. They have forgotten what matters most. When you keep your focus on Jesus, He will fill you with a joy that is beyond anything you could ever imagine. Even when times are tough, you still smile. You still laugh. You are still excited. Why? Because ‘the joy of the Lord is your strength’. When you have Jesus, you have a joy that is beyond compare.
The feast of tabernacles displayed many great pictures of God’s faithfulness and love. While at that feast, Jesus made it clear that only He can satisfy. He is the living water. Unlike those Krispy Kreme doughnuts that provided temporary false satisfaction, Jesus provides real satisfaction. Come to Jesus and you will be satisfied.
[1] Borchert, G. L. (1996). John 1–11 (Vol. 25A, p. 289). Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[2] The New King James Version (Jn 7:37–39). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[3] The New King James Version (Ro 8:16). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[4] The New King James Version (Jn 3:16). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[5] The New King James Version (Heb 13:5–6). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[6] The New King James Version (Php 4:19). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[7] The New King James Version (Php 4:13). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
[8] The New King James Version (Jn 14:1–3). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
Pastor Chris Noland 